I read the entirety of this book while my wife drove to and from Arizona from our house. Danae suggested that I read this after she had read and had become impressed by it. She was rightfully impressed, and I'm so glad that she suggested it.
Li Cunxin was chosen by Mao's "people" to represent the great socialistic society of Moa through dance. This story begins with Li's childhood and follows him as he becomes somewhat famous.
I'm touched at Li's story. He not only took on the challenge of the kind of responsibility in one's own country to represent the country's philosophy, but he effectively writes about how he used the events in his life to determine that this philosophy was not only manipulative but fully abusive.
I don't want to give anything away. Go read this book. Then watch the movie. The book, as is standard, is much better than the movie, but the movie is good. That means that the book is great!
9/10
Monday, July 18, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Faith of Christopher Hitchins
About three years ago I finished teaching one of my Delta Pre-Algebra classes early. I sat in my car and decided that instead of going home that I'd enjoy a Youtube video and a time of relaxation. After having taught, once again, a rather simple lesson on signed integers and variables, I wanted to stimulate my mind with something challenging, so I entered something like, "great debates." That's when I found Christopher Hitchens. And I've been hooked, ever since.
Jennifer bought the book, "The Faith of Christopher Hitchens" for me for our anniversary about two weeks ago. It couldn't have come at a better time. Without having kept count, my only guess is that I have watched somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-60 Hitchins debates since my introduction to the man. I've become entranced with his style and wit, but most importantly, I've become obsessed with the idea of trying to understand him. When I found out that he was a friend of Francis Collins ('The Language of God' and 'The Human Genome Project'), I was completely engulfed in finding out more.
This book is written from the perspective of a Christian who spent lots of time with Hitchins, not only on a personal level, but also debating him both personally and publicly. The author does an amazing job of quickly reporting the early life and times of Hitchins, then he delves deeply into Hitchins's family and personal life.
I half-expected a kind of preachy tone with this book, but it does not come off nearly as preachy as I had expected.
Read this. It's good stuff.
Jennifer bought the book, "The Faith of Christopher Hitchens" for me for our anniversary about two weeks ago. It couldn't have come at a better time. Without having kept count, my only guess is that I have watched somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-60 Hitchins debates since my introduction to the man. I've become entranced with his style and wit, but most importantly, I've become obsessed with the idea of trying to understand him. When I found out that he was a friend of Francis Collins ('The Language of God' and 'The Human Genome Project'), I was completely engulfed in finding out more.
This book is written from the perspective of a Christian who spent lots of time with Hitchins, not only on a personal level, but also debating him both personally and publicly. The author does an amazing job of quickly reporting the early life and times of Hitchins, then he delves deeply into Hitchins's family and personal life.
I half-expected a kind of preachy tone with this book, but it does not come off nearly as preachy as I had expected.
Read this. It's good stuff.
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